STATE-MENT: San Benito sizes up Lewisville in state semifinal

San Benito Lady Greyhound coach Elias Martinez enjoys a gatorade shower courtesy of his team on Saturday after they defeated Smithson Valley to earn a trip to the state tournament, a first for any Rio Grande Valley softball club. The players are also pictured celebrating after the game. San Benito will now face Lewisville in the state semifinals in Austin Friday. (KSBG TV photos by Isabel Alicia Gomez)

By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

With the eyes of the Rio Grande Valley—and now the rest of Texas—on them after a historic win, the San Benito Lady ’Hounds are soaking it all in.

But just like last week, they know they have an opportunity to make even more Valley sports history by taking care of business. After all, there is a game to play.

In their second trip to the Elite Eight—the only Valley team to reach a softball regional final—the girls scored another first last Saturday, becoming the first Valley club to advance to the state tournament by downing defending 4A state champion Smithson Valley.

With their ticket to the Final Four punched, the Region-IV champion Lady ’Hounds (34-2) will now take on Lewisville (29-13), the winner of Region I, in a 5A state semifinal at McCombs Field on the campus of the University of Texas on Friday at 6 p.m.

Should they win their eighth game of this historic playoff run, the Lady ’Hounds would face the winner between Humble Kingwood (34-3) or defending 5A state champ Deer Park (37-4) for the state championship at 4 p.m. on Saturday, also at UT. For fans unable to make the trip to Austin, Friday’s and Saturday’s games will be televised live on Fox Sports Southwest.

“It’s been fun. We’ve received a lot of calls from coaches and people wishing us luck,” Lady ’Hounds coach Elias Martinez said of a whirlwind weekend. “But it’s not hard to keep our girls focused. They’re so loose and confident right now. I expect the same thing Friday. We’re gonna play Lady ’Hound Softball and give it our best shot. I guarantee my girls will leave it all on the field.”

San Benito’s magical postseason has been fueled by sky-high confidence and solid play from everyone up and down the lineup. Also, junior pitcher Amber Jasso has been on fire as of late and has run her record to 23-1 overall. She’s received plenty of defensive help behind her while the bats have been lively, including 11 hits against Smithson Valley.

Getting here has not been easy for the Lady ’Hounds and they’re certainly battle-tested. They’re a perfect 7-0 in the playoffs, with two-game sweeps of Brownsville Hanna and Edinburg North preceding one-game wins over Eagle Pass, San Antonio O’Connor and Smithson Valley.

Meanwhile, this is also the first state tourney for Lewisville, according to reports. The Farmers came out of District 5-5A and have been sensational in the playoffs, defeating Bell, Mansfield, Midway, Coronado and Flower Mound Marcus to reach state.

Coach Lori Alexander’s club is led by 5-10 freshman right-hander Maribeth Gorsuch, who’s also stout at the plate. Gorsuch was hampered by an injury to end the season and the Lady Farmers struggled. However, she’s since returned—starting in a relief role before tossing a complete-game shutout in the regional final—and is undoubtedly the team’s catalyst. Senior Chloe Campise has also seen time in the circle.

“That’s pretty much what we know. We don’t know a lot about them (Lewisville) but we’re scrounging up what we can. Bottom line is (at the state tourney) we’re playing the best in the state of Texas,” Martinez said. “They’re in the same boat we are. They’re probably asking, ‘San Benito who? So we’re just gonna do what we do to get ready.”

All in all, Martinez said the experience of making history and reaching state has been truly memorable, but he and his Lady ’Hounds aren’t ready to call it a season.

“It’s gonna be two ‘Cinderella stories’ going at it,” Martinez said of the two state first-timers. “But hopefully the clock doesn’t strike 12 on us just yet.”